Stuart Britain- James I and Parliament (Foreign Policy)

Question 1

Foreign Policy Aims 1603

Answer 1

• England to remain at Peace
• To keep Europe free from all out war religious warfare
• To maintain the role of international mediator - Peacemaker

Question 2

James and Peace

Answer 2

His motto ‘Beati Pacificus’ -> Blessed are the Peacemakers, believed in peace and wanted to settle disputes by diplomacy and reason than confrontation
- Avoid financial drain of war - wouldn’t need to go ‘cap-in-hand to Parliament for War subsidies

Question 3

Treaty of London

Answer 3

1604, ended the 19 year Anglo-Spanish war- James was Scottish so felt no hostility towards the Spanish, brought trade with Spain, pacification of Ireland

Question 4

Truce of Antwerp

Answer 4

1609, ended war between Denmark and Spain- against James’ goal to prolong dispute to preoccupy them

Question 5

Catholic Marriages 1605-1611; 1611-1621

Answer 5

Henry to Anne of Spain then Charles to Maria of Spain

Question 6

Protestant Marriage

Answer 6

Elizabeth married to Elector of Palatinate 1613

Question 7

Dynastic Marriages

Answer 7

Seeking alliances with both the Catholics and Protestants, use as a power base from which he could more efficiently work for an end to the cold war between the religious blocs- secure lasting peace

Question 8

Outbreak of the Thirty Years War

Answer 8

1618

Question 9

How much control did James have?

Answer 9

• James faced a Protestant Parliament who wanted him to intervene
• Spain did not have to negotiate from strength and would insist on terms that were unworkable

Question 10

Success of Foreign Policy

Answer 10

• Kept England out of war
• Secured Protestant dynastic marriage to Elector of Palatinate
• Maintained role of international mediator
• James didn’t start the 30 years war- tried to avoid war and keep peace at all costs; told Frederick not to take crown (he ignored this)
• Spanish Match
• Settled Cleves-Jülich 1614 and war between Denmark and Sweden

Question 11

Failure of Foreign Policy

Answer 11

• Doesn’t keep Europe free of War- 30 Years War
• Couldn’t prolong war between the dutch and Spanish
• Didn’t secure long-lasting Catholic marriage
• James was overconfident. He had an inflated view of his own ability to control events on Continental Europe.